FUNCTIONING BLOCKS

Functioning Blocks is part of The Manipulation Project series, inviting the viewer to connect with the piece through interactive play. The blocks can not only be moved in and out, but the grid as a whole can be reset at any point.

MAGNETIC WOOD BLOCKS

Walnut and milk paint

One corner of the walnut blocks are cut away to reveal the inside “color”. Walnut blocks have one magnetic side and can be grouped together to make artistic and playful patterns.

Available in sets of 4. On display at Oxtail Studio in Berkeley, CA.

BROKEN DISPLAY

Material: Mahogany

Broken Display is part of The Manipulation Series. The rough edge of broken wood frames the display opening, drawing focus to the space inside.

SHELF + PLANTER

>Materials: Upcycled cedar, ceramic insert.

My family home is a 100 year old Craftsman house in Berkeley, California. The original redwood gutters were removed last year in a renovation and they inspired the Shelf + Plant piece. As the gutters had been holding water and leaves for years, it seemed only fitting that they be upcycled into planters. Each is unique and characteristics of the original wood come through. More recently, these are made from recycled cedar that was removed from an older home.

Shelf + Plant is an easy to install floating shelf with a planter that can hold the plant of your choice and is removable for easy watering.

PUSH PUSH

Push Push is part of The Manipulation Series. A playful piece in which pushing in one block pops out another. While it works in a seamless and simple way, this technique took two years to develop and had several earlier incarnations. The sculptural element of the piece is ever-changing, dependent on the involvement of the viewer.

POTATO PUZZLE

Hand crafted wood puzzles made from leftover wood from various commissioned projects. Finished with milk paint to achieve these beautiful matte colors.

Each wood block can be taken apart and put back again. Inside there is nothing but the challenge to putting the puzzle back together.

ONE HUNDRED BLOCKS

One Hundred Blocks invites the viewer to interact with the piece by being able to construct patterns with the different types of wood blocks in the grid, as well as playing with negative space if desired.

SOAP DISH

> Material: Cedar

In the woodshop, we are always looking for ways to repurpose wood. These soap dishes have been upcycled from the wood of the BAMPFA bookstore. The exploration in this project is a playful shape that is both two-sided for design versatility as well as functional. Cedar construction is sealed with natural oils and works well in wet environments.

HIDDEN DRAWER

Materials: Maple, Cherry, Milk Paint

The home is a private space and within it, we store things that are both personal and dear to us. The Hidden Drawer plays with the concept of public and private in our spaces and adds an element of the interactive. It floats on the wall as a beautiful modern shelf or stand-alone piece, Upon closer investigation, discovery lies in pushing one side to pop the other side out, revealing the secret interior compartment. The box is made from bandsaw construction and lends itself to holding special items, revealed to those who know the secret or are particularly curious.

Limited edition, custom sizes possible. Currently on display and for sale at Oxtail Studios in Berkeley, CA.

LET IT SPIN

Let It Spin is part of The manipulation Series in which interactive pieces are founded on moveable blocks. In this particular piece, each block has three accessible sides, each with a different color. The viewer can spin the various blocks to make patterns or spell words.

Let it spin

Size: 11”x 36 ⅝” x 3 ⅜”

Material: Cherry, maple, walnut,plywood, milk paint, steel

Available at http://www.oxtailstudio.com/

HIDDEN DISPLAY

> Materials: Red Oak, Milk Paint on MDF.

Hidden Display focuses on providing dedicated space for our special and sentimental objects, The top of the display shelf has an opening so that light can fill the inside space and further illuminate the object.

What is not immediately apparent is that there are three displays.. The front panel can be slid back and forth to reveal the other spaces. In engaging with the piece, the viewer can chose what will be displayed in that moment.

Limited production series.

DISPLAY CASE

This piece was the first one created in the Display series. It invites the viewer to interact by sliding open the box and revealing the display space. The top of the display has an opening so that light can fill the inside space and further illuminate the object.

Made from red oak, it is slightly more traditional in style. The inside is detailed with milk paint.

PushPush2

PushPush2 is the most recent creation in The Manipulation Series, inviting the viewer to interact with the movable blocks, creating motion and movement within the piece.